My “Listen to America”, a HuffPost Road Trip by PeakXV Global Events

Listen to America

A HuffPost and PEAK XV Road Trip

During the fall of 2017, HuffPost sent a team of reporters to 20-plus states to hear from under-heard Americans and find out: What does it mean to be American today? The HuffPost Road Trip, entitled “Listen to America“, was developed by Peak XV in collaboration with HuffPost. The seven-week inspirational journey created the opportunity for HuffPost to meet Americans outside of their readership, listen to their stories, and take the first crucial step in rebuilding trust in today’s media.

Peak XV Global Events converted a tour bus into a mobile video studio, capturing conversations with people of all ages and backgrounds. The reaction was so positive, that we had to expand recording capabilities into tents outside the bus. Each stop also included a forum that expanded the dialogue on community hot-button topics and invited participation from all in attendance.

By partnering with local community leaders, nonprofits, educational institutions, and local businesses, Peak XV ensured that HuffPost journalists could experience a genuine dialogue and introduce themselves to a location in an authentic, unscripted way.” – HuffPost

iPad Right Release App

With PeakXV and HuffPost, I designed and produced a Digital Rights Release app for the on-location iPads used in sign-up of an interviewee, a video rights acknowledgment name. My role grew a week after the event began when I was invited to drop into the tour at Memphis, TN as a cameraman (both on the bus and in the tents.) Even as producer, driver and event crew — we drove from city to city setting up tents like a carnival come to town. At each stop we set-up three hospitality tents and two camera interview tents.

A Mobile Video Studio

The road trip went to 26 US cities, I visited 23 of them and personally drove over 7,000 miles. We had the custom-wrapped tour bus and three chaser vans. A 12 person passenger van, the equipment van, and a passenger/equipment van. I was digital video cameraman, digital post-production and event crew, and a driver. As well as Producer, Livestream camera and post video production. And there was a drone!

Each week HuffPost cycled in new journalists. We met a lot of people, I’ve made many new friends and some very talented co-working friends… My take away from listening to so many was that everyone wants a happy life, good job, safe home, and to be cared for… they all loved that someone was listening to them.

Michael Pace, Producer / Cameraman w HuffPost reporter – Each week HuffPost cycled in new journalists. We met & listened to a lot of people, and made many new friends.

There are so-so many pictures and video I couldn’t possibly share them on one page.
For more of the road trip see more of pictures here:Listen To America, Road Trip